Insulating-coupling.



No. 650,II3. I Patented ma 22, I900. L. MGGARTHY.

INSULATING COUPLING.

(Application filed Mar. 9, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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Louis MCCARTHY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,113, aatd May 22-, 1906.

Application filed March 9, 1899. Serial No.- 708,383. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS MCCARTHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suflolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insulating- Couplings, of which the following isaspecification, reference being had therein to the accom pan ying drawings.

The invention consists in an insulatingcoupling of novel character and especially designed for use in situations where it is to be exposed to moisture-as, for example, in c011- nection with the supports for incandescent lamps used outdoors, in cold-storage rooms, or in other locations where the precipitation or deposition of moisture is encountered.

The invention is intended to be utilized also in connection with the tubing or conduits containing the electrical conductors leading to outdoor signal-stations of police and other protective systems.

I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing an embodiment of my invention utilized in connection with an incandescent electric lamp and its support intended for employment outdoors.

The accompanying drawing shows, partly in section and partly in elevation, an incandescent electric lamp, a supporting arm or bracket therefor, a reflector, and an insulator embodying my invention.

In the Said drawing, 1 designates a tubular arm or bracket, through the interior of which pass the conducting-wires 2 and 3.

4 designates an incandescent electriclamp. ll is a reflector above the lamp. 5designates the socket receiving the base of the said lamp 4, the said socket being in practice provided, as usual, with terminal connections for the ends of the Wires 2 and 3, the said connections being arranged in ordinary manner to make electrical contact with the terminals of the lamp itself. 6 designates an insulatingcoupling which is employed for connecting the socket 5 with the bracket or arm 1. In

some respects this coupling is similar to that which has previously been patented to me, it comprising the two coupling members 7 and 8, the former screwing onto the threaded extremity of the arm or bracket 1 and thelatter receiving the threaded upper end of the short section of pipe 51, connected with the socket -5. Between theproximate ends of the coupling members 7 and 8 sheet-mica is interposed, as at 9, for purposes of electrical insulation. The upper end of coupling member 8 is formed with a simple flange, as at 10, while the lower end of the coupling member 7 is made cup-shaped and receives the said flange 10, together with the insulating material 9, which is placed between the ends of the two coupling members, the free lip or edge 13 of the cup being turned over around the flange 10 to hold the two coupling members together, sheet-mica 12 being interposed between the turned-over lip or edge 13 and the flange 10. The central portion of the body of the coupling is covered with a coating 14 of insulating compound to effect exterior insulation. A continuous opening 151 extends through the interior of the coupling for the passage of the conducting-wires 2 and 3.

For the purpose of preventing moisture in the form of rain or the like, which falls upon the exterior of the coupling or moisture which collects thereon from working its way inward along the under side of the central portion or body of the coupling and finding its way-to the terminals, so as to electrically bridge the latter, I provide the coupling with a means of cutting off the inward passage of moisture and shedding the same, so as to cause it to drop from the exterior of the coupling-entirely outside of and beyond the socket. This means consists herein in an annular depending flange 15, projecting from the body of the coupling, preferably at the extreme rim of the said body. In addition I sometimes provide a secondary moisture arresting and discharging device in the form of a downwardly-projecting rib 16, extended annularly around the body of the coupling inside of and concentric with the flange 15. The flange 15 and rib 16 are molded in the material 14, constituting the covering of the body of thecoupling.

As will be obvious, the coupling embodying my present improvement is adapted for use in a number of exposed situations other than those which have been referred to hereinabove by way of 'illu stration of its intended' application. or. employment.

I claimas my-inventi0n- 1 The improved insulating-couplin g compris- 5 ing the connected coupling membershavingthe central passage therethrough for'wires,

the insulating material interposed :between; the same, and the exterior coating of insulating material, and having the exterior depending flange 15 to preventinward travel of mois- 16 I ture and discharge the same'from; the surface 7 of the coupling, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in'presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS MCCARTHY. =Witnesses: I

WM. A. MAOLEOD, V CHAS. F. RANDALL. 

